Process and apparatus for improving explosive mixtures for internal-combustion engines and other purposes



Oct. 7, 1930. A. DUCLOUX PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING EKILOSIVE MIXTURES FOR INTERNAL COIBUSTION ENGINES AND OTHER PURPOSES Filed May 3, 1927 M3 Arman/6y Patented Oct. 7, 1930 P ATEN T OFFICE ALBERT DUGLOUX, F ilDEVALLOIS-PERRET, FRANCE I PBooEss m urm'rus son IMPROVING EXPLOSIVE iI x'rUREs r03 INTERNAL- comaosrxon ENGINES nxnornnn runrosns Applidtion filed lliay 8, 1927, Serial No. 188,603, and in France Hay 7,1926.

My invention relates to a process for bettering the out-put of explosive mixtures utilizedgin internal combustion engines in which the explosive mixture is preheated between the time itleaves the carburetor and the time it entersthe engine cylinder, andto the specific apparatus for putting said process into I practice. u

The invention has for-an object to improve such a process by combining with the preheating step an enriching and a chemical transformation of the gaseous mixture.

Another object of the invention is to provide anapparatus for enabling the process .3 to be carried out in conpection with internal combustion engines now in use.

In the accompanying drawing Fig: 1 is a view in elevation of the apparatusy 4 Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; and F Fig. 3 is a section along the line A-B of Before proceeding with a description of m apparatus the process will first be describe By heatin an explosive mixture such as, a mixture 0 gasoline, benzol, alcohol or other similar hydrocarbonswith air or analogous hydrocarbon mixtures, in the presence of certain substances I am able to obtain a mixture which is not only very hot when ignited but also very rich in methane, hexane, heptane or analogous gases.

The substances suitable for producing this enrichingand' chemical transformation of the carbureted mixture are ores rich in rare earth, metal oxides or oxides of rare earth such as titane, zirconium, thorium, scandium, yttrium, lanthane, cerium, praseody'me, neodyme, Samarium, gadolinium, terbium, erbium, tullium, ytterbium stances. These substances may be employed alone or in combination and mlxed or not with powdered metal such as iron, nickel, or manganese, for example.

By thus heating the explosive mixture in the presence of said bodies or substances 1 am able to'considerably increase the effect of the explosion of the explosive mixture due to 5" the heated radioactive elements present.

or other radioactive su b' The process may be adapted without danger to produce self-ignition and a rational economy as well as a high output of the fuel which is used.

My process is particularly adapted to be used with all the fuels used in-motors and produces a very noticeable economy in consumption, and an increase in the output without damage to the motor.

The chemicals above mentioned may be employed in different proportions but I prefer to use the following:

monazite or thorite (ore with high content), 2% thorium oxide, 40% asbestos, 48% talc or. chlorite (without or with the addition of powdered iron, nickel or manganese).

. A mixture of talc, and chlorite or asbestos may be had by using potstone.

The oxide of thorium in the formula might be replaced by an oxideof the metals above mentioned (titane, zirconium, etc.). The amount of oxide employed might also be varied from 2% to 15% according to the substances employed.

In preparing the elements-in question it is necessary to cook the mixture above with great precaution to avoid obtaining too great a porosity as well as its vitrification, the latter preventing any action of the oxides of rare earth. The heating is preferably carried on in the manner in whichporcelain is fired, taking the same precautions but not forcing the fire quite as far.

The apparatus for carrying this process into practice will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing 1 represents the ordinary type of well known exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine attached thereto by means of lugs and bolts. Said manifold is furnished with the usual exhaustpipe 2.

. Cast in t e rally on'the side of the manifold 1 is a chain er 3, the ends Lofwhich are provided with openings 5. On ti 3 interior of said chamber 3 is disposed a receptacle 6 of cylindrical form and adapted to receive the enriching and chemical transforming elements 7 which may be those above mentioned. This receptacle 6 is preferably provided with no air-tight joints where it projects throu h the openings 5; The exhaust gases from t e engine in passing through the manifold 1 circle around the receptacle 6 by penetrating the chamber and preheat the elements? enclosed v in said receptacle.

Each end of the receptacle 6 is threaded to receive a connection to the carburetor on one end and a connection to the motor cylinders on the other which may be pipes of any appropriate form.

Many variations in my process and apparatus may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from myinvention, I

since What I claim is.

1.- The process for increasing the eflectivee ness of a carbureted mixture 1nan internal combustion engine including confining a mix- .ture including substantially 10% monazite and thorite ore, 2% oxide of thorium and 48% chlorite, heating the mixture, and passing a carbureted fuel mixture through the confined mixture to preheat and enrich the fuel mixture on itsway to the engin e.

2. The rocess for increasing the effectiveness of a ydrocarbon mixture in an internal combustion engine including confining a mixture comprising monazite, an oxide of a metal, asbestos, talc, chlorite, and powdered metal,

I heating the confined mixture, and passin the hydrocarbon mixture through the con ned mixture to chemically transform arid enrich the hydrocarbon mixture on its way to the engine.

' 3. The process for increasing the effectiveness of a carbureted fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine including confining a mixture including substantially 10 per cent of a mineral containing thorium,a relatively small per centof an oxide of a radioactive metal, and a relatively large percentage of an inert substance, heating the mixture, and passing the carbureted fuel mixture through the heated confined mixture for chemically transforming and enriching the fuel mixture on its way to the engine.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

. ALBERT DUCLOUX. 

